U.S. patent application number 12/382289 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-08 for decoy structure.
Invention is credited to Joseph S. Arnold.
Application Number | 20090249678 12/382289 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41131938 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090249678 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Arnold; Joseph S. |
October 8, 2009 |
Decoy structure
Abstract
The decoy structure is formed of a central upper spine and
lateral ribs, with a support rod resiliently attached to the
approximate midpoint of the spine. The lower end of the support rod
has a weighted base. A removable flexible cover is patterned to
resemble the object game, and is open at the bottom. This allows
the ribs to be curled inwardly toward one another with their distal
ends and lower portions of the cover overlapping to reduce the
structure diameter for compact storage. The support rod swings
rearwardly through the open bottom of the structure, allowing the
decoy to be stored in a small diameter tube. The decoy is quickly
deployed by withdrawing it from its tube and tossing it to the
desired location. The weighted base deploys downwardly, with
aerodynamic drag holding the body above the base as it lands to
orient the decoy properly in the field.
Inventors: |
Arnold; Joseph S.; (Wind
Gap, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LITMAN LAW OFFICES, LTD.
POST OFFICE BOX 15035, CRYSTAL CITY STATION
ARLINGTON
VA
22215-0035
US
|
Family ID: |
41131938 |
Appl. No.: |
12/382289 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61064978 |
Apr 7, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
43/2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01M 31/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
43/2 |
International
Class: |
A01M 31/06 20060101
A01M031/06 |
Claims
1. A decoy structure, comprising: a thin, flexible, elongate spine;
a plurality of thin, flexible ribs extending and curving laterally
and downwardly from the spine, the ribs having distal ends defining
an open bottom; a thin, flexible cover removably secured over the
spine and ribs, the cover further having a pattern resembling a
game animal; a support rod having an upper end resiliently secured
to a central area of the spine, the support rod having a lower end;
and a weighted base permanently attached to the lower end of the
support rod.
2. The decoy structure according to claim 1, wherein the weighted
base comprises a flaccid cover containing aggregate particles
loosely disposed therein.
3. The decoy structure according to claim 1, wherein the weighted
base comprises a solid form having a lower portion, the lower
portion having a compound convex curvature.
4. The decoy structure according to claim 1, wherein the cover
further includes a plurality of long, narrow rib pockets disposed
therein, the pockets corresponding in number to the ribs, the
pockets being removably installed over the ribs to secure the cover
thereto.
5. The decoy structure according to claim 1, wherein the cover
further includes a plurality of hook and loop fabric attachment
tabs disposed therein, the tabs being removably attached to the
ribs.
6. The decoy structure according to claim 1, further including
laterally disposed left and right side secondary stringers,
generally parallel to the spine.
7. The decoy structure according to claim 1, further including a
storage tube, the spine, the ribs, the cover, the support rod, and
the weighted base being removably placed in the tube for storage
and transport.
8. A decoy structure, comprising: a frame formed of a plurality of
interconnected thin, flexible elements; a cover removably disposed
over the frame, the cover having a pattern resembling a game
animal; a support rod having an upper end secured to the frame, and
a lower end; and a weighted base permanently attached to the lower
end of the support rod, the weighted base further having a flaccid
cover containing aggregate particles therein.
9. The decoy structure according to claim 8, wherein the frame
further comprises: a thin, flexible, elongate spine; and a
plurality of thin, flexible ribs extending and curving laterally
and downwardly from the spine, the ribs having distal ends defining
an open bottom.
10. The decoy structure according to claim 9, wherein the cover
further includes a plurality of long, narrow rib pockets disposed
therein, the pockets corresponding in number to the ribs, the
pockets being removably installed over the ribs to secure the cover
thereto.
11. The decoy structure according to claim 9, wherein the cover
further includes a plurality of hook and loop fabric attachment
tabs disposed therein, the tabs being removably attached to the
ribs.
12. The decoy structure according to claim 9, further including
laterally disposed left and right side secondary stringers
generally parallel to the spine.
13. The decoy structure according to claim 8, further including a
storage tube, the frame, the cover, the support rod, and the
weighted base being removably placed in the tube for storage and
transport.
14. A decoy structure, comprising: a thin, flexible, elongate
spine; a plurality of thin, flexible ribs extending from the spine;
a thin, flexible cover having a plurality of long, narrow rib
pockets disposed therein, the pockets corresponding in number to
the ribs, the pockets being removably installed over the ribs to
secure the cover thereto, the cover having a pattern resembling a
game animal; a support rod having an upper end resiliently secured
to a central area of the spine, and the support rod having a lower
end; and a weighted base permanently attached to the lower end of
the support rod.
15. The decoy structure according to claim 14, wherein the weighted
base comprises a flaccid cover containing aggregate particles
loosely disposed therein.
16. The decoy structure according to claim 14, wherein the weighted
base comprises a solid form having a lower portion, the lower
portion having with a compound convex curvature.
17. The decoy structure according to claim 14, further including
laterally disposed left and right side secondary stringers,
generally parallel to the spine.
18. The decoy structure according to claim 14, further including a
storage tube, the spine, the ribs, the cover, the support rod, and
the weighted base being removably placed in the tube for storage
and transport.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/064978, filed Apr. 7, 2008.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to hunting
paraphernalia, and more particularly to a decoy structure having a
spine and a series of lateral ribs formed of wire or other thin,
resilient material and having a lightweight cover removably
installed thereon. A weighted base is also provided.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Decoys have long been used in hunting to attract game. Most
such decoys are formed of solid and relatively dense material, or
at least have a relatively hard and dense shell. Most such decoys
must be placed specifically by the hunter; they are sufficiently
massive that they cannot be tossed more than several feet to a
location beyond that of the concealed hunter. This is even more
true of decoys having special bases, spikes, etc., which must be
driven or implanted into the ground. Obviously, such decoys cannot
be tossed into position at all. This is particularly critical when
a hunter is in a blind, and wishes to distance himself from his
prey to avoid their detecting his scent or hearing some slight
sound he might produce. In addition to the above consideration,
most such heavier decoys have sufficient upper mass that they will
generally tip over if tossed randomly into the field. This is true
even of flotation type decoys (ducks and geese, etc.). Such
flotation decoys will generally promptly right themselves when
tossed into the water, but will often remain tipped over on dry
land if they end up in such a tipped position when tossed.
[0006] The present inventor is aware of a number of decoys having
one or more stakes depending therefrom. The stake is driven into
the ground to deploy the decoy. This is particularly common with
turkey decoys, since such a stake or stakes position(s) the body of
the decoy as if it were standing, a posture that is common to
feeding land birds. However, this has the disadvantage of requiring
the hunter to move to the area where the animals are expected to
congregate and spend some time setting up the decoys, thus likely
providing some evidence of his prior presence.
[0007] Still other decoys have been developed with a weighted base
and single support rod extending upwardly therefrom to support the
decoy body. In the case of inflatable decoys, the hunter must spend
the time to blow up the decoy, generally by mouth when in the
field. Other decoys have molded shells, which means that they
cannot be compressed for compact storage. None of these decoys can
be quickly and easily deployed when a hunter using a game call
hears an answering call, and knows he must deploy his decoys
quickly. This is particularly true of turkey hunting, but is often
true in other types of hunting as well.
[0008] Thus, a decoy structure solving the aforementioned problems
is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The decoy structure has an upper central spine with a series
of curved ribs extending laterally therefrom. The structure is open
at the bottom, i.e., the ends of the left and right side ribs do
not connect to one another across the lower portion of the
structure. A support rod is resiliently attached to the approximate
midpoint of the spine, and extends downwardly through the open
bottom to a portable weighted base (sandbag, rigid base having a
compound convex bottom curvature, etc.) when the decoy is deployed.
A fabric cover having a pattern representing the object animal is
removably attached to the ribs of the structure, e.g., by internal
sleeves or pockets sewn into the cover, mating hook and loop
fasteners, light adhesive, etc. Additional laterally disposed
stringers may be included with the structure, if so desired. The
spine, ribs, and lateral stringers may be formed of stiff but
resilient wire having a springback property to return to the
desired body shape after being released from compression.
Alternatively, certain stiff but resilient plastics (e.g., nylon,
etc.) may be used in lieu of metal wire. The resilience of the ribs
allows them to have relatively rigid attachments to the spine.
Alternatively, a flexible attachment such as a spring or the like,
may be used to attach each rib to the spine.
[0010] The decoy may be compressed by squeezing the ribs to curl
toward one another, thus reducing the diameter of the structure and
allowing it to be inserted in a storage tube. The support rod and
its weighted base are swung rearwardly through the open bottom side
of the frame due to the spring attachment of the upper end of the
support rod to the spine. When the decoy is to be deployed, the
hunter need only withdraw it from its storage tube and toss it into
the desired area. The resilient frame will promptly spring to its
full size, expanding the cover to resemble a real animal. The
spring attachment of the support rod to the spine causes the
support rod to extend beneath the decoy frame. The weighted base
carries the decoy structure to the general intended landing spot,
with the relative mass of the base traveling downwardly ahead of
and beneath the drag of the lightweight frame and cover as the
decoy nears the surface. The result is that the decoy ends up in an
upright posture with the weighted base supporting the decoy
thereabove.
[0011] These and other features of the present invention will
become readily apparent upon further review of the following
specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a left side perspective view of a turkey decoy
incorporating the decoy structure according to the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a front and left side perspective of a decoy
structure according to the present invention, the cover being
removed to show the internal components.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the interior of the
decoy structure, showing a series of sleeves or pockets for
attaching the cover to the frame.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the interior of the
decoy structure, showing a series of hook and loop fasteners for
attaching the cover to the frame.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a mid-section front elevation view of the frame of
the decoy structure, showing the curling together of the ribs to
reduce the outer diameter for compact storage.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the compressed decoy
structure being inserted into a small diameter storage tube.
[0018] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective detail view of a portion
of an alternative embodiment of a spine and rib assembly for a
decoy structure according to the present invention, wherein the
ribs are attached to the spine with springs.
[0019] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] The present invention relates to various embodiments of a
decoy structure that is configured to provide a lightweight and
easily portable device that can be quickly deployed in the field
with minimal preparation and effort. FIG. 1 of the drawings
provides a left side perspective view of an exemplary decoy
structure according to the present invention, comprising a turkey
decoy 10. It will be understood that innumerable other
representations of game animals may be formed using the general
structural elements of the present decoy structure. The turkey
decoy 10 is but one example of such a structure.
[0021] The turkey decoy 10 has a frame 12 (best shown in FIG. 2)
formed of a plurality of thin, flexible, elongate elements
comprising an elongate spine 14 having permanently attached (e.g.,
welded, bonded, etc.) ribs 16 substantially normal thereto. (The
thicknesses of these elements may be exaggerated in the drawings
for clarity.) The ribs 16 extend laterally to each side of the
spine 14 and curve downwardly and continue to curve inwardly with
their distal tips facing one another, in the manner of the
anatomical rib cage of most vertebrate animals. The facing distal
ends of each of the corresponding ribs 16 are spaced apart from one
another, defining an open bottom area 18 for the decoy, as shown by
the frame structure 12 illustrated in FIG. 2. These spine and rib
elements 14 and 16 may be formed of metal wire, e.g., tungsten or
spring steel. These materials provide excellent springback when
bent or deflected short of their elastic limits. Alternatively,
certain plastics (e.g., nylon) may have similar properties and may
be used in lieu of metal.
[0022] A thin, flexible cover 18 (e.g., nylon or other fabric
material) is removably secured over the frame 12, generally as
shown in FIG. 1. The cover 18 includes a print or pattern to
resemble the desired game animal, or other pattern or configuration
in accordance with the configuration of the structure and the
representation desired. Obviously, the shape of the cover 18 will
be adjusted as necessary, in accordance with the structure 12 to
which the cover is to be applied. The cover 18 is also open along
its lower portion, and preferably extends to about the same point
on each side as the distal ends of the ribs 16, or slightly
beyond.
[0023] A single support rod 20 supports the frame 12 and overlying
cover 18. The support rod 20 also comprises a thin, elongate,
flexible length of material (tungsten, spring steel, certain
plastics, etc.), as in the spine 14 and rib 16 components described
further above. The upper end 22 of the support rod is resiliently
attached to the approximate midpoint of the spine 14 by a spring
24. The spring may have a conical configuration, as shown in the
drawings, with the small end of the cone attached to the upper end
22 of the support rod 20 and the larger diameter end screwed or
threaded onto the general midpoint of the spine 14. Other spring
configurations may be used. This resilient attachment of the
support rod 20 to the spine 14 allows the support rod to swing
rearwardly and upwardly through the open bottom portion of the
frame 12 for compact storage of the decoy structure 10.
[0024] The opposite bottom end 26 of the support rod 20 is
permanently installed in a weighted base, e.g., the "sandbag" or
"beanbag" type base 28a, as shown in FIG. 1, or alternatively the
solid base 28b shown in FIG. 2. The weighted base 28a of FIG. 1 has
a flaccid cover 30 formed of a flexible sheet material (fabric,
vinyl, etc.), loosely filled with innumerable small particles 32
(e.g., sand, gravel, etc.), in the manner of the conventional
"sandbag" or "beanbag." However, the lower end 26 of the support
rod 20 includes a series of lateral stabilizer wires or elements 34
extending outwardly therefrom, as shown in FIG. 1. In the example
of FIG. 1, these elements comprise a pair of wide loops,
foreshortened in the left side perspective view of FIG. 1. The loop
configuration precludes the relatively sharp end of a single wire
element poking through the shell or cover 30 of the base 28a. Other
stabilizer configurations may be provided as desired. The
stabilizer wires or elements 34 tend to spread horizontally when
the base contacts the surface after being tossed or dropped,
thereby assuring that the support rod 20 will be oriented generally
vertically.
[0025] Alternatively, the base may be formed as a solid and rigid
unit, as in the weighted base 28b of FIG. 2. The base 28b includes
a lower portion 36 having a compound convex curvature (e.g.,
hemispherical, parabolic, etc.) and a flat top, with the body of
the base 28b formed as a solid mass of reasonably heavy material
(e.g., dense plastic, aluminum, or perhaps iron or steel).
Alternatively, the base 28b may be formed of a relatively
lightweight wood, plastic, or the like, with a core of heavy
material (lead, etc.) into which the lower end 26 of the support
rod 20 is installed. The convex curvature of the weighted base
assures that the base 28b will tend to rock itself upright as the
center of gravity of the base 28b seeks its lowest level upon
impact with the surface, thereby orienting the support rod 20
generally vertically.
[0026] The cover 18 (or other variants thereof) is removably
secured to the frame 12 using any of a number of various means.
FIG. 3 illustrates one such cover attachment system, in which the
cover 18a includes a series of long, narrow rib pockets or sleeves
38 attached (sewn, etc.) to the inner surface of the cover. The
pockets or sleeves 38 correspond in number to the number of ribs 16
of the structure and extend from near the lower or bottom edge 40a
of the cover 18a, i.e., to accept the distal ends of the ribs 16,
and extend upwardly and outwardly some distance along the inner
surface of the cover.
[0027] The sleeves or pockets 38 may be formed similarly to the
sleeves sewn into the headliner of an automobile, through which a
series of wire bows pass to hold the headliner in place. However,
the pockets or sleeves 38 are not continuous across the entire
width of the cover 18a, as the cover cannot be installed in a
continuous lateral installation from one side to the other due to
the intervening spine 14, and optional secondary stringers 42a, 42b
that may be installed, if so desired, to provide additional
rigidity for the deployed structure. Portions of the right side
stringer 42b are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, with the complete
stringers being shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. These stringers 42a, 42b
are installed generally parallel to the spine 14 and serve to hold
the ribs 16 normal to the spine.
[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates another alternative cover attachment
system, in which the cover 18b is removably secured over the
underlying frame 12 by a series of hook and loop fasteners 44. One
end of each of the fasteners 44 may be permanently secured (sewn,
etc.) to the cover 18b, with the fasteners extending across the
corresponding ribs and the opposite end removably attaching to a
mating patch or spot of hook and loop material 46 sewn or otherwise
permanently attached to the inner surface of the cover 18b. Other
attachment means may be used, e.g., a light adhesive, such as
rubber cement, to allow the cover 18b to be removed as necessary
for cleaning, repair or replacement, etc.
[0029] The decoy structure 10, including its cover installed
therein, may be compressed significantly to allow it to be stored
in a relatively small diameter tube or the like. FIGS. 4 and 5
illustrate this storage procedure. In FIG. 5, all of the ribs 16
are shown in their expanded state, i.e., as they would appear when
the decoy structure is deployed, in solid lines. The cover 18 and
support rod 20 are not shown in FIG. 5, for clarity in the drawing
Fig. As the ribs 16 are formed of resilient material, they may be
compressed inwardly and curled toward one another to reduce the
diameter of the structure for storage. In FIG. 5, the ribs 16 are
shown in a somewhat compressed configuration as ribs 16a in broken
lines, with the diameter of the structure being reduced
accordingly. It will be seen that the diameter may be reduced
further, depending upon the flexibility and resilience of the ribs
16 and the amount of pressure applied to coil or curve the ribs
toward one another.
[0030] Once the diameter of the decoy structure 10 has been reduced
as described above, the structure is of sufficiently small diameter
to fit into a relatively small diameter storage tube 48, generally
as shown in FIG. 6. It will be seen in FIG. 6 that one of the lower
or outer edges 40 of the cover 18 overlaps the other, as the
corresponding ribs have been curved inwardly to overlap one another
as shown in FIG. 5. The compacted or collapsed decoy 10 with its
smaller external diameter may then be inserted into the storage
tube 48 for transport or storage. The support rod 20 has been
folded rearwardly to align generally with the remainder of the
structure, thus positioning the weighted base 28a or 28b rearwardly
of the balance of the structure. The weighted base, either the
flaccid base 28a or rigid base 28b, may serve as the closure for
the tube 48, or a separate cap (not shown) may be provided.
[0031] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a portion of an alternative
spine and rib assembly, wherein each of the ribs is resiliently
secured to the spine by a coil spring. The spine 50 includes a
series of short stubs or spurs 52 extending laterally therefrom
with each of the stubs 52 having spring retention means thereon,
e.g., generally conical spring retainers 54 or barbs or other
structure that may be gripped by one end of the spring. Each of the
ribs 56 includes corresponding spring retention means 58, e.g.,
conical retainers, barbs, or the like, extending from the spine
attachment end thereof. A coil spring 60 is threaded onto or forced
over the spring retainer(s) 54 of each of the stubs or spurs 52,
and the spring retainers 58 of the ribs 56 are threaded or forced
into the opposite ends of the coil springs 60 to secure the ribs 56
resiliently to the spine 50. This resilient attachment of spines to
rib by means of the springs 60 allows the spines to be formed of a
somewhat stiffer material than used in other embodiments, if so
desired.
[0032] When the hunter has reached the desired hunting site, he or
she may conceal himself or herself in a blind or other suitable
structure as desired and use a game call or other means to attract
game. When the hunter senses that the game has responded to the
call, the decoys 10 of the present invention may be quickly and
easily deployed by removing them from their storage tubes 48 and
tossing them into the desired area. The decoys expand rapidly due
to the resilient nature of their frames, with the ribs 16 (or 56,
in the embodiment of FIG. 7) expanding to fill out the overlying
cover 18. The support rod 20 extends downwardly beneath the frame,
generally normal to the spine 14, due to the resilient attachment
of the rod to the spine. The weight of the weighted base 28a or 28b
tends to carry in front of the body portion of the decoy as it is
tossed through the air due to the aerodynamic drag and light weight
of the body portion with its cover, thus causing the base 28a or
28b to impact first and assuring that the decoy will alight and
remain in an upright position. The light weight of the frame 12,
the surface area of the cover 18, and the resilience of the
structure, particularly the support rod 20, allow the decoy to rock
slightly in the wind to mimic natural movement of the game animal.
The solid base with its compound convex lower surface provides
additional mobility for the decoy. When the hunter decides to move
to a different site or terminate hunting for the day, the decoy 10
is easily rolled or curled to fit into the storage tube 48 for
transport and storage, as described further above.
[0033] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and
all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *